Rotary spark-gap



A. J. KLoN'l-ICK.

l ROTARY SPARK GAP. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, i916.

Patented J u'ne 28, 1921.

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WT TNESSES. @confn /p/n. @aan 4MM 26mm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' Auensr J. xLoNEcx, or NEw Yoan, N. Y.

ROTARY SPARK-GAP.

Application led .Tune 3, 1916. Serial No. 101,560.

an apparatus, whereby a high tension electrical current will simultaneously be interrupted `at a plurality of points.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of electrodes to produce a 'current of high frequency with a low numloer of electrodes. v

These and other allied objects are attained by the novel arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter describd and clearly indicated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a preferred form of apparatus, showing certain novel mechanical elements, parts of said apparatus being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view, showing the arrangement of breaking points to produce a low frequency electrical current.

Fig.- 3 shows a diagrammatic view of an arrangementof breaking points to produce a high frequency electrical current.

Fig. 4 shows an arrangement of breaking points-to produce an electrical current of medium frequency. i

Fig. \5 shows a diagrammatic 'vieW of breaking points to produce current of a lower frequency alternately reversing with respect to two of four terminals.

Like parts are indicated by Similar characters of reference throughout the specification and in lthe drawings- Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 the numerals 1 and 2 represent two disks of suitable material, each having one of its surfaces opposed to one of the other. Electrode sets 3 and 4 are attached one to each of said disks and in operative relation with one another. Other -independentelectrode sets 5 and 6 will be arranged on said disks,

and insulated from the vspark set 3, 4. Both spark sets will be used simultaneously in a combination as convenient or desired. The electrodes 3 and 4, for instance, serve for the completion and interruptlon of one electrical circuit, supposedly comprising the terminals or posts 7 and 8 of said set. The latter correspond wit termi nals 7 and 8 of Figs. 2, 3 and 4. T e /electrode set, 6, however, is shown ywith four posts 9, 10, 11 and 12, the purpose of which will be explained in connection with Fig. 5. i Either one or both disks 1l and 2 will be rotated, if desired. The frequency of current'mterruptions will be doubled, if both disks are oppositelyrotated with respect to one another. For this purpose, the electrode carrylng disks may be rotated by one or Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 28, 1921. y

more suitable driving means f3, as electric motors, or fluid turbines, or driven by a pulley, gears or clutches 14; further, the shafts 15 and 16,`and belts 17 and 18 may serve to rotate said disks. In the present: application the electricalJcurrent is supposed to bridge small' gaps betweenstationary electrodes 19, 2O and the collecting ring electrodes 21 and 22, for instance. e

The latter collect current for the terminals 7 and 8 for one electrode set. The other spark sets may be either such of Fig. 2, Fig. 3 or Fig. 4.

In Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 it will be noted that the electrodes are shown asone ring set with- .in the other, however, I prefer to arrange In Fig 2, the numerals 3 and-4 represent the two ring sets of electrodes, forming an operating means for the interruption of an electrical current. Each ring is subdivided intosections 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b. The ring set 3, for instance, comprises four sections 3a, 3b, 3, and 3d, of whichthe terminal sections 3a and 3d, for instance, are connected to the terminals 7 and 8, andcomprise two spark points each one while each of the intermediate sections, 3b and 3C, has four spark points. The ring set 4 in this figure comprises three sections, 4a, 4b, and 40, each of'twospark points. The purpose of this subdivision is to interrupt an electrical current at a plurality of vpoints in series with one another simultaneously while retaining the high f number of current interruptions receivable each six spark points while the ring .set 4 vin my lution of each ring set.

has 20 spark points arranged in 5 electrode sections of each four points, whereby an elec* trical current w1ll be interrupted at six -points in series of each other, simultaneously,

between 3n and 4", 4n and 3b, 3b and 4*,4b and 3c, 3 and 4, and 4c and 3d,1.espectively. In this figure I have employed an arrangementand number ofV 4electrode or spark points whereby the produced number of 1spark gap interruptions is greater than the .number of spark breaking points employed. -While the greatest. number of pointsA is .thirty on disk 3, the number of interruptions will be sixty for one revolution of each ring set 3 or 4, or 120 for one revolution of both rings, respectivel Such system has'been described llatent, No. 1,263,073, of April 16, 1918, and consists in employing a certain number of breaking points whereby the number of interruptions is equal to the least common multiple of the number of points on each disk.

.In the present construction the discharging current is broken at a plurality of intermediate points in seriesand at the terminals simultaneously. y Fig. 4 illustrates an arrangement of 18 points in four sections of ring 3, while ring 4 has 12 points in three sections. The number of interruptions will be 36 for one revo- Another novel feature, consisting of producing a sound made up of two or more separate tones of a signal will in Vconnection with this figure be explained. Suppose certain points, as for instance, every second point of the section set 4 are displacedly arranged so that there will be two distances 23 and 24 between two successive spark points.' Thence, these two distances cause discharges of current at two different time intervals of two successive sparks, the 'difference oftime intervals corresponding to the difference of distances 23 and 24 of the spark points. The result will be adouble tone or a double pitch of the sound of a signal produced by interruptions of an electrical current. Suppose now, every -third point of a certain number of spark points is displacedly arranged, as for instance, every third electrode point of the section set 3 is displaced. QT hence there will be three distances of spark points and time differences 25, 26, and 27 of three successlve current discharges, which if ring 3 had only the spark points arranged in three rent discharges may bemade to produce a sound of any desired character or any musical note.

It will be obvious that any difference of time intervals or distances and tones may thus be obtained7 such possibilities being too various to illustrate or describe.

In Fig. 5, the numerals 5 and 6 represent two section sets for a spark gap whereby current from a source connected across the terminals 9 and 1() will be interrupted and reversed in direction for the terminals 11 and 12, alternately. Thus, said two wire circuit from 9 and 10 for terminals 11 land 12 will be interrupted at 8 points simultaneously, and in series with the .two pole L.l An alternate position of electrode set rent will be reversed is produced by llgrevolution of electrode set 6. Thus, current from terminal 9 then will flow by gaps a, z', 7c and h to terminal 12, and current from terminal 10 will liow by gaps e, m, 1, vand d to terminal 11 of said gap.

It will be noted that the spark gap shown in Fig. '1 comprises two complete spark gap sets, one between 3 and 4 and the other between 5 and 6. Further, F ig. 5 shows spark gaps 9-11, 9-12, 10-11 and .10 to 12 which may be used separately if desired. One use of such spark gap is described in my application Serial No. 96,228, filed May 8, 1916, where two spark gaps are employed; one for connecting a transformer with a-source of current and the other for short circuiting said transformer alternately. the spark gap of F ig. 5 for this purpose, thence two separate spark gaps are attained between terminals 10-12 and 9-12 for instance. V

Having fully described my invention that what I claim as new and desire to secure b Letters Patent is:

1. A rotary spark gap, comprising two motors havingtheir shafts in axial alinement with one another, electrode holders attached on each shaft carrying metallic electrodes thereon, the electrodes of one mo'- tor coperating with the electrodes of the other motor, said electrodes being divided 6 whereby the direction of an electrical cur- By employing into sections having a plurality of projecting points, the total number ot' electrode points being different for cach holder.

2. In a rotary spark gap, two oppositely arranged electrode holders of insulating material having a plurality of electrodes thereon, one of said holders having four terminal electrodes in operative relation with one another, the saine being ,arranged one at each quadrant, and conducting electrodes located between each two terminalelectrodes, the electrodes on the other holder being arranged to connect one terminal electrode with one terminal electrode of o-ne of the two adjacent quadrants by means of said conducting electrodes.

3. A rotary spark gap, comprising two opposing electrode holders of insulating material having metallic electrodes arranged thereon in sections insulated from each other, each section having a plurality oi' project-- ing spark points, the total number of spark points being different for each holder, one holder carrying terminal'sections, the other holder having connecting electrode sections therefor. j

4. In combination with a spark gap, a system of producing a musical note in receivers by reproduced periodically similar spark discharges of a spark gap, the latter having certain successive spark points spaced in different distances with respect to adjacent spark points of the same set and other spark points for connecting said differently spaced spark points successively, causing different time intervals to elapse between suc cessive current discharges between said spark points.

5. In a rotary spark gap, a. plurality of projecting spark points arranged upon two holders adapted for successive operative connection with one another, the distances between `certain ysuccessive connecting spark points varying `from. one another for producing certain varying time intervals of successive sparks.

6. In a rotary spark gap, aplurality of projecting spark points arranged upon two holders adapted for successive operative connection with one another, one holder comprising terminal spark points and the other connecting spark points therefor, certain successive connecting' spark points being spaced differently from one another for producing varying tones of sound in a receiving instrument by similar time intervals of successive current discharges between said spark points and a note of sound in receivers comprising different tones.

- 7. In a rotary spark gap, a plurality of projecting spark points arranged upon oneV holder of insulating material adapted for successive operative connection with spark 4points of another holder, certain successive connecting spark points upon said holders time intervals, which spark points are spaced f at different distances with respect to one another, adapted for producing current discharges therebetween having different time intervals from one another, said spark points being arranged in sections upon opposing holders, one holder having terminal sections and intermediate sections, another holder having connecting sections f spark points for saidterminal sections of spark' points of said first mentioned holder.

9. Ina rotary spark gap, a plurality of projecting spark points arranged upon one f holder adapted for successive operation by spark points arranged upon another holder, the spark points upon said first mentioned holder being yplaced at different distances with respect to adjacent spark points adapted for producing discharges of current between the spark points of said two holders having a differing time interval successively for producing a compound note of sound of Y a signal in receiving instruments, said spark points being arranged upon opposing holders, each holder having spark points differently spaced from the spark points on the other holder.

l0. In a rotary spark gap, a plurality of projecting spark points, arranged upon separate holders of insulating material, certain spark points upon one holder being arranged for successive operative connection with spark points of an opposing holder, adjacent spark p'oints having the distances from one another varying for producing successively different time intervals between the operative connection of such spark points, said spark points being arranged in sections upon opposing holders, one holder comprisingv terminal sections and intermediate sections, the opposing holder having connecting spark point sections therefor adapted for connecting said terminal and said intermediate sections in series with one another, each of said intermediate sections comprising a number of spark points twice that of each of said terminal sections.

11. In a rotary spark gap, a plurality of spark points forming two independent sparkv gaps, the latter being insulated from one another, having certain spark points arranged in sections insulated from one an-` other.

12. In a rotary Spark gap,- a plurality of spark points forming two independent spark gaps, the latter being insulated from one another and in operative relation with one another, having certain spark points arranged upon opposing holders in sections the sections of said opposing holders coperating in series with one another.

13. In a rotary spark gap, a plurality of insulated holders, a plurality of metallic 'spark points arranged upon each of said holders in separate sections, certain'sections of spark points of one holder cooperating with sections of spa-rk points of .another holder, said coperating sections and spark points of one holder comprising terminals arranged at each quadrant, the other holder having connecting spark point sections therefor arranged in a manner for connecting one of the opposite terminals with one otl j the ad'acent terminals.

' motors having insulated metallic electrodes arranged upon their shafts, the electrodes 14. rotary spark gap, comprlsing two of said motors -being in 'operative relation 4 with one another and arranged in insulated sections,l said sections having a plurality of projecting spark oints thereon, said' spark pomts being di erently spaced vupon the holder of each motor.

15. A rotary spark gap comprising two motorslh'aving insulated metallic electrodes arranged upon their shafts, the electrodes of said motors being in operative relation with one another and arranged in insulated sections, said sections having each a plurality of projecting spark points thereon, kcertain adjacent spark points upon certain of said sections being differently spaced from one another. f

16. A rotary spark gap comprising two motors having insulated metallic electrodes arranged upon their shaft, the 'electrodes of said motors, being in operative relation with` one another,said electrodes having a plurality of projecting Spark points, certain numbers of successive spark oints being arranged at different distances rom one another adapted for producing current discharges successively at different time intervals.

17. Ina rotary spark gap, two electrode holders having a plurality 'of insulated elecl trodes arranged thereon in sections. sections of electrodes of said two holders coperattwice the number of spark points on each of said terminal sections, the other holder having sections -for connecting said intermediate sections in series with said terminal sections, the distances of spark points from one another being different for each holder.

19. The combination with a rotary spark Agap-one electrode holder having a plurality of terminal electrodes, another holder having connecting electrodes therefor having a plurality of projecting spark points, and stationary electrodes, each of said terminal electrodescomprising projecting spark point electrodes and collecting ring electrodes, the latter forming a spark gap with said stationary electrodes.

20. The combination with a rotary spark gap, one electrode holder having terminal electrodes, another holder having connecting electrodes having a pluralityv of spark points, said terminal electrodes having a plurality of Spark points, the spark points being differently spaced from one another upon each holder.

21. The combination with a rotary spark gap, of stationary spark points, said rotary spark gap including electrode holders of insulating material havlng metallic electrodes arranged thereon, certain of said electrodes have a plurality of projecting spark points. certain others being plain collecting ring electrodes, the latter being adapted to` form a conducting current spark gap with said stationary spark pointsv for `the projecting spark point electrodes.

Intestimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification in thpresence of two witnesses.

AUGUST J. KLONIECK. Witnesses:

MARTIN PorrELAUER, NORBERT LANDAU. 

